Apparatus for cutting paper and the like

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for cutting paper, card or the like, having a rotary cutter wheel which is movable along the lateral edge of an elongate fixed blade so as to cut or shear by a continuous scissors action, and in co-operation therewith, a friction drive wheel which rotatably drives the rotary cutter wheel as the cutter is drawn along the fixed blade, and a housing partially enclosing the cutter wheel.

United States Patent 1 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1969 Lewis 83/485 1111 3,766,816 Loveless Oct. 23, 1973 [5 APPARATUS FOR CUTTING PAPER AND 2,219,485 10 1940 Neuwirthl 83/489 x THE LIKE 804,520 11/1905 Colthar 83/397 630,019 8/1899 W0rthen..... 83/485 X Inventor: Barry 1811 L l wokmg, 3,561,312 2/1971 Jones 83/485 1. 1 5 99 1 Assignees: Send Engineering -9 wokil'lgi Primary Examiner-Willie G. Abercrombie Myers & Limited, Oldbury Attorney-George B. Newitt et ai. Warley Worcestershire, both of England 22 Filed: Nov. 26, 1971 [571 ABSTRACT [2]] Appl. No.: 202,226 Apparatus for cutting paper, card or the like, having a rotary cutter wheel which is movable along the lateral edge of an elongate fixed blade so as to cutor shear if 3' i l 23 3334 2 by a continuous scissors action, and in co-operation 5 488 489 therewith, a friction drive wheel which rotatably 1 0 drives the rotary cutter wheel as the cutter is drawn along the fixed blade, and a housing partially enclos- [56] References Cited mg the cutter wheel' 9 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEDumzs ms sum 3 BF 3 Inventor 401 0 Wale A ttorneys APPARATUS FOR CUTTING PAPER AND THE LIKE This invention relates to the cutting of paper, card or similar materials.

Paper cutters of the guillotine type suffer from a number of disadvantages. Those with a long blade pivoted at one end depend for their accuracy and effectiveness on correct adjustment of a strong spring at the pivoting end of the blade. If this is incorrectly adjusted, as often happens, the cutting action is either too stiff or too loose. The cut is often clean at the pivot end of the blade, but poorer at the further end. Obviously, this type of construction suffers from the fact that the pressure is applied to the blade only at one end, whereas it would be advantageous to be able to apply an even pressure along the whole length of the cutting edge.

It is an object of the invention to overcome these disadvantages and to this end a paper cutter according to the invention has a rotary cutter movable along the lateral edge of an elongate fixed blade so as to cut or shear by a continuous scissors action.

Thus, the apparatus may have a fixed elongated blade presenting a lateral blade edge, and a carriage travelling on a guide lengthwise of the blade incorporating a rotary cutter wheel which co-acts with the blade edge and is rotatably driven during travel of the carriage by a friction driven cutter drive wheel rotatably mounted on the carriage.

Preferably the rotary cutter has or is associated with a frustro-conical portion, the axis of symmetry of which is coincident with the rotary axis of the cutter, and the cutter is urged against the lateral edge of the fixed blade by a wedging action between the said frustroconical portion and an elongate member mounted par allel to the fixed blade. i

The elongate member can be a separate guide rail extending parallel to the fixed blade, against which the conical portion bears as the carriage is traversed along the fixed blade, or simplyan upturned flange forming one side of a slot in which the cutter wheel'runs, the other side of the slot. forming the fixed blade.

Another disadvantage of the hitherto known types of cutter with long blades, even if the construction is such as to overcome the abovementioned difficulty, is that the long open blade is very dangerous for the operator. This is especially the case where the whole length of the cut is made virtually at once, the straight blade descending against a straight edge directly from above.

This disadvantage is overcome by the invention because the small rotary cutter can be very conveniently almost totally enclosed in a housing for protection of the user.

The housing may conveniently be a one-piece resilient plastics moulding which drops over the cutter wheel, and may in addition releasably clip over the guide rail, where one is provided.

The housing may incorporate internal locating slots or shoulders to locate it on the cutter wheel axle which may be integral with the cutter wheel. The location in one side of the housing preferably that which is normally furthest from the fixed blade, is preferably a vertical slot, while that on the other side is a horizontal shoulder positioned so as to rest on the axle end. This arrangement ensures that the user will not accidentally pivot the leading edge of the cutter away from the fixed edge by inadvertently twisting the housing, since the latter can then pivot about one axle-end of the cutter wheel without turning it. The housing may provide or incorporate a hand-grip and as the cutter does not have to be fixed to the rest of the apparatus, it can be used independently if required, in co-operation with a convenient steel edge such as that provided by a rule.

Some embodiments of the invention will now be de scribed with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one type of paper cutter according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the cutter housing and part of the baseboard of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section on the line III III of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of a cutter carriage, shown with the cutter apparatus of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a crosssection on the line VI VI of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a detail of an alternative arrangement to that of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partially cut away side elevation view of an alternative cutter wheel housing;

FIG. 9 is a cross-section of the housing of FIG. 8; and,

FIG. 10 is an underneath plan view of the housing of FIG. 8.

Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus consists of a baseboard 2 which carries a graduated scale 4 perpendicular to the fixed cutting edge 6. The scale is formed as one leg of an L-shaped paper guide, the other leg 8, forming a pressure pad extending parallel to the cutting edge, with a gap between itself and the baseboard in which the paper is held.

The housing 10 encloses the cutter wheel and is in the form of a carriage adapted to travel along rail 12, which is supported at each end by blocks 14.

Referring to FIG. 2, the carriage 10 containing the cutter wheel is shown in position on the rail 12. The pressurepad 8 forms a gap 16 between itself and the baseboard 2, into which the paper is slipped for cutting.

FIG. 3 shows the cutter wheel 18 in its operating position. It is formed with a frustro-conical portion 20 on one side of the cutting edge, which has a substantially right-angled (scissor-blade) type of cross-section, and a smaller diameter cylindrical roller 22 on the other side which rests on the pressure pad 8 and rolls along it when the device is operated. The frustro-conical portion 20 rests on the rail 12 so that the cutter wheel 18 is wedged between the rail 12 and the fixed cutting edge 6 when a downward force is applied to it. The wheel has an axle 22. 3

The carriage 10 is formed with internal vertical slots 24 corresponding in width to the: diameter of the axle 22, which terminate in shoulders 26 to rest on the axleends when the carriage is in position. The carriage also has a horizontal groove 28' in its base with a crosssection of somewhat more than a semi-circle and of slightly larger diameter than the rail 12. With this arrangement the carriage which is of a resilient material, can be placed in position over the cutter wheel and snapped onto the rail. It can then be used as a hand-grip by the operator to apply downward pressure to the cutter wheel and a.horizontal force to move it along the fixed cutting edge. The wheel rolls with roller 22 resting on pressure pad 8, and the cutter wheel itself is larger in diameter than roller 22. Thus the actual cutting action, which takes place at point 30, i.e., in advance of the point of contact between roller 22 and pressure pad 8, is accelerated so that the cutter wheel grinds" against the fixed edge 6 with a scissorslike action. The paper, held between pressure pad 8 and cutting edge 6 is thus sheared much more effectively than if there were no accelerating effect.

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of another embodiment of the invention with its cutter wheel in position. (For clarity the housing is not shown in this figure). The baseboard 32, again has an L-shaped paper guide 34 fixed to it at points 36 and has a free leg 38 forming a pressure pad. In this embodiment, the baseboard 32 is formed from a single sheet of metal with downwardly turned edges 40. A slot 42 is formed near one edge, parallel with pressure pad 38. The inner side of the slot 44, forms the fixed cutting edge. The opposite edge 46 is turned upwardly out of the plane of the surface of the base 32. The cutter wheel 48 is generally similar to that of the previously-described embodiment with small differences mentioned below.

FIG. shows the cutter wheel 48 in position in the slot of the baseboard 32, with a housing in the form of a carriage 50 which includes a handle 52. The wheel has a cylindrical roller 54 which rests on pressure pad 38. The upturned edge 46 can be seen behind the cutter wheel, and is positioned so that the frustro-conical portion of the wheel rests against it.

Referring to FIG. 6, the carriage 50 is shown in crosssection. It does not have a slot for a guide rail since there is no separate rail in this embodiment. The cutter wheel 48 has a separate axle 56 and the carriage is formed with internal depressions which fit over the ends of the axle. The frustro-conical side 58 of the cutter wheel rests against the upturned flange 46 of the base and the roller 60 rests on pressure pad 38. The operation of the device is identical to that of the previously described embodiment, except that the handle 52 provides a more efficient means for the operator to apply downward pressure and move the cutter wheel along, bearing against flange 46.

FIG. 7 shows a similar arrangement to that of FIG. 6, but in this arrangement the edge 46 of the slot, 42 is rolled over rather than simply bent upwards. This gives an easier action since it provides a rounded surface 62 for the frustro-conical portion 58 of the cutter wheel to bear against.

FIG. 8 is a cut away view of a housing with a preferred bearing arrangement for the cutter wheel axle in the housing. The figure shows the side of the housing nearest the fixed blade. Instead of a vertical slot to locate the axle-end 64, the housing 66 has a plain shoulder 68 which rests on the axle-end 64. The other axleend 70, shown in FIG. 9, is located in a vertical slot. The effect of this arrangement is that the housing can pivot through a small angle around axle-end 70, as indicated by the arcuate arrow in FIG. 10. This extra degree of freedom of the housing ensures that, in use, any twisting action which may be inadvertently exerted on the housing by the operator, is not transmitted to the cutter wheel in a manner which would cause its cutting edge to be disengaged from the fixed blade.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for cutting paper, cards, and like material, said apparatus comprising, in combination, a base, an elongated, rigid cutting blade mounted on said base, an elongated substantially rigid member mounted on and spaced from said cutting blade, a housing member, a wheel member carried by said housing member, a cutting edge unitary with said wheel member positioned against and transverse of said fixed blade and projecting at least partially into the space defined between said blade member and said elongated member, means unitary with said wheel member and projecting at least partially into said space for positively forcing said cutting edge laterally against said fixed blade by cooperation with said elongated member in response to downward pressure on said housing as said housing and said wheel member are moved along said fixed blade to cut said paper like material in a scissors like action between said cutting edge and said fixed blade, and a pressure wheel portion unitary with said wheel member for bearing against said material and holding said material in a substantially fixed position during the cutting thereof in a position in close proximity to the cutting operation.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said forcing means comprises a unitary frusto-conical portion on said cutting wheel, said frusto-conical portion bearing against said elongated member.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing includes a pair of substantially upright slots, and said wheel member includes axle means received in said slots.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing includes an upright slot in one wall thereof, and a horizontal shoulder on the opposite wall thereof, said wheel member includes axle means received on said slot and on said shoulder, and means are provided for pivoting said housing about the upright axis of said slot ina substantially transverse plane relative to the axis of said slot.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wheel member includes axle means, said housing is resilient, and a pair of depressions are provided in opposite walls of said housing for engaging said axle means so that said housing resiliently retains said wheel member.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing includes a bearing surface which bears against said elongated member, and means are provided on said housing and on said elongated member for releasably securing said housing to said elongated member, so that said housing is slidable thereon.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 including a base member, the space between said fixed member and said fixed blade comprising a slot in said base member, said fixed blade being on one side of said slot, and said elongated member defining the other side of said slot.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 including a pressure pad 18 positioned intermediate said pressure wheel portion and said paper material being cut.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said pressure pad is wider than said pressure wheel portion. 

1. Apparatus for cutting paper, cards, and like material, said apparatus comprising, in combination, a base, an elongated, rigid cutting blade mounted on said base, an elongated substantially rigid member mounted on and spaced from said cutting blade, a housing member, a wheel member carried by said housing member, a cutting edge unitary with said wheel member positioned against and transverse of said fixed blade and projecting at least partially into the space defined between said blade member and said elongated member, means unitary with said wheel member and projecting at least partially into said space for positively forcing said cutting edge laterally against said fixed blade by cooperation with said elongated member in response to downward pressure on said housing as said housing and said wheel member are moved along said fixed blade to cut said paper like material in a scissors like action between said cutting edge and said fixed blade, and a Pressure wheel portion unitary with said wheel member for bearing against said material and holding said material in a substantially fixed position during the cutting thereof in a position in close proximity to the cutting operation.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said forcing means comprises a unitary frusto-conical portion on said cutting wheel, said frusto-conical portion bearing against said elongated member.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing includes a pair of substantially upright slots, and said wheel member includes axle means received in said slots.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing includes an upright slot in one wall thereof, and a horizontal shoulder on the opposite wall thereof, said wheel member includes axle means received on said slot and on said shoulder, and means are provided for pivoting said housing about the upright axis of said slot in a substantially transverse plane relative to the axis of said slot.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wheel member includes axle means, said housing is resilient, and a pair of depressions are provided in opposite walls of said housing for engaging said axle means so that said housing resiliently retains said wheel member.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing includes a bearing surface which bears against said elongated member, and means are provided on said housing and on said elongated member for releasably securing said housing to said elongated member, so that said housing is slidable thereon.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 including a base member, the space between said fixed member and said fixed blade comprising a slot in said base member, said fixed blade being on one side of said slot, and said elongated member defining the other side of said slot.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 including a pressure pad 18 positioned intermediate said pressure wheel portion and said paper material being cut.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said pressure pad is wider than said pressure wheel portion. 